Grading the Broncos after their 38-35 loss to Baltimore in double overtime Saturday in Denver:

Offense
Nothing craters an offense in a playoff game more than turnovers, and the Broncos finished with three that led to 17 Baltimore points, ending their season.

Defense
All of the matchups that worked so well in Baltimore last month weren’t ones the Broncos could win Saturday. The Ravens put up 38 points on the Broncos, the most by an opponent all season.

Special teams
A missed field goal by Matt Prater was particularly painful just before halftime — the Ravens scored a touchdown three plays later — but Trindon Holliday’s two return TDs were historical.

Coaching
The Broncos couldn’t find a way to get a key first down on offense to close things out and couldn’t stop the Ravens on third down when they needed to most.

Game balls

KR Trindon Holliday — Became the first NFL player to have a kickoff return and a punt return for touchdowns in the same playoff game.

RB Ronnie Hillman — When tailback Knowshon Moreno left the game because of a knee injury, Hillman took the ball and finished with 83 yards.

Coaching – i fail them for playing scared with 2 minutes to go. 3rd and 7 – go for the 1st down to end the game. You went out, got manning, paid all the money, and the big money moment you run to take 30 seconds off the clock. Then with 30 second and two time outs left needing a field goal you kneel? SCARED

meldasue

I agree – Fox was playing not to lose at the end of regulation, and it all unravelled from there. They had to throw on that third down. And did Prater get that multi-year contract he wanted? I think he didn’t – at least I hope not. He was a real liability from November on. I had no confidence that if the Broncos could have got into field goal range – either in the last 30 seconds or in overtime – that he was going to make the field goal.

http://profile.yahoo.com/MWV27UNPJF2CCSXETS67JPKUBY Dale

I still don’t understand how Prater missed the ball so badly.

Shane

When will people get a clue and realize we will never win until we fix the safety and corner positions, and please start by getting rid of has been Chump Bailey

No smoke blowing

Couldn’t agree more! Chump and his arrogance of not needing support on his side cost the team dearly! Chump has been overrated for quite sometime. Pro bowler, what a joke!

additionbysubtraction

@No…do you feel Del Rio went to Bailey at halftime and asked him if he needed safety help over the top on Smith, and Bailey responded no? Absolutely not…Del Rio realized that with safety help over the top, defense wouldn’t be able to blitz Miller and Dumervil as often as he liked…which didn’t make a bit of difference anyway. Ravens defensive gameplan simple…smash wide receivers off the line, and get Manning on the move…translation, he has a hand in all three turnovers. To be given 14 points by your special teams, homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, HOF regular season quarterback, top 5 defense = SMH.

Where are all the any given sunday yahoo’s now? I am one that thought Manning wouldn’t pass on the opportunity to face Brady again in the AFC Championship game, but obviously, as many did, I game him entirely too much credit. There’s a reason he “chose” arguably the softest division in the league. Didn’t want to face Brady 2wice a season in the East, didn’t want to be considered a traitor or be booed in Indy in the South, not tough enough to play against defenses in the North…doesn’t want to face bro in NFC East 2wice a season…or compete with Eli for the top spot…Manning quickly fading into obscurity. This was his chance…with the defense he never had in Indy, better offensive weapons (which I don’t agree with)…he will always be considered average in the playoffs where history judges ones entire career.

Shane

Elway, freakin idiot thats all I have to say, and yes kneeling with 30 seconds and time outs, thats 90 million worth, how! real close to burning all my broncos stuff, this year. wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope Tebow does not turn his christian cheek, and starts the trash talking right now. Lets Go Tebow!!!

ohshane

If you think last season compares favorably with this season, you are deluded. Take your Tebow blinders off – I like the guy and really want him to succeed but fans like you are incredibly frustrating to deal with.

The Elway hate as a result is moronic and that’s about as kindly as one can put it. This team was 2-14 two years ago and by drafting Von Miller and convincing Peyton Manning to come to Denver, the Broncos went 13-3, won the AFC regular season, and were a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The final result was incredibly disappointing as this team ultimately underachieved in the playoffs this year, but every single Broncos fan save the few Tebow faithful would take this season over last. In fact, 99% of the fans in this league would much rather have the season the Broncos had this year than the one the Broncos had last year.

How about this. I’ll give Tebow the props he deserves for last season if you realize how you and fans like you are singlehandedly playing him out of the league because teams cannot afford to be patient with him like they could with a guy like Aaron Roger or others who needed time to adjust and improve. So congrats, I hope you like taking credit for turning Tim Tebow – one of the best people in football – into an NFL afterthought. He won’t say because he would never antagonize his fans, but somebody must. So good work!

Elway dumped Tebow brought in Manning and really didn’t improve on the team’s roster except through the draft. Elway obviously felt that last year’s team was Super Bowl ready other then at QB and he pulled the switch to dump Tim Tebow and bring in a tested veteran with questionable big game tendencies. If he had consulted with me I would have pointed out that last year’s team won because of Tebow and in spite of McCoy’s horrible play calling. Elway should have kept Tebow built the team around him and watch the victories pile up. Instead Elway mortgaged the future on a QB that will, in two or three years, retire as a Colt and the Broncos will continue to look for a QB and dwell among the lower AFC teams (the AFC west). Manning’s reputation will remain intact: Nice guy, knows the game and can direct an offense like no other but comes up short in big games.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1770116289 Dan Gaschler

and YOU personally won how many SB’s ?

CarolBert

Agree…. Bring Tebow back… almost ready to burn my Bronco stuff between Elways ego and the lack of excitement this year.

Gotta love watching all the so-called “Bronco Fans” scrambling like mad to jump off the broken bandwagon. Funny as anything I’ve seen in years.

The biggest reason that teams lose like this is because of a sense of entitlement, just like the fan base. You all just expected to waltz to the Super Bowl and beat down everyone and every team just because you got the number one seed.

An 11 game winning streak is a ticking time bomb, and the Broncos knew it. Streaks like that happen rarely, and whenever they happen, the end is always ugly. The loss will always come at the worst possible moment. You all saw it happen to the Patriots years ago after they went undefeated. Why one earth did you think the Bronco’s situation was going to be any different?

Yesterday it was all “Manning is the greatest. Champ is the greatest. Miller is the greatest. The altitude is going to kill the Ravens. Etc, etc.”

It’s football, people. There’s no advantage. All it takes is a fumble here, a missed kick there, and one team wins and one team loses. Sports are a game of mistakes, period.

Some of you want to blame the officiating. Yeah, well….if you were actually watching the game, there were terrible calls and non-calls on both sides. On both the punt return and KO return, there were things that the refs could have called on Denver, but they let it go. Same with the INT pick-6 for Baltimore. Stop complaining and stop your conspiracy theories. You know as well as I do that the NFL and the networks would prefer to have Brady/Manning instead of Brady/Flacco. If there was a conspiracy, you can bet we would have seen a lot more questionable officiating against the Ravens.

You embarrass yourselves. Many of you are not true fans, and shame on you.

Connor

And who are you a fan of?

http://www.facebook.com/ryan.miller.75098 Ryan Miller

^You’re right and could not have asked for a better game. I read a few articles on here this week and it was like everyone figured this was a bye, including Vegas. I heard there was a billboard announcing Ray’s retirement party at 2:30, you couldn’t have thought that was a smart move. We won because we wanted it more and played with confidence. We gave away 14 pts, but got stops when we needed it.

The calls we’re wrong on both sides but that’s football. Why Peyton didn’t throw more on 3rd down is nuts, isn’t that why Elway brought him in? Now I will say the D had a lot more pressure on him in the 2nd half but still I would take my chances with Peyton than running straight at a 2 time Defensive Player of the Year, 13 time Pro Bowler in Ray Lewis.

Caw Caw

krabballs

These comments make so much sense that they have no business in a blog such as this. I am a huge Ravens fan, thought they were being underestimated going in, and thought all the calls would go for Denver. Like every game in the NFL, there were bad calls and non-calls against both teams. It was a very exciting game and the Ravens just made one or two more plays. That’s football.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1770116289 Dan Gaschler

So True, congrats on a heck of a win !

Erik

Looks like Ravens fans love your comment, T.M.
The only people who thought this was a “great game” are blind to the fact that the Broncos weren’t actually able to play more poorly or make more mistakes. Have fun getting clubbed like a baby seal by the Pats.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1770116289 Dan Gaschler

and what team do you represent? Raiders ?

BradyPats

There is little better than looking at the picture on the front page of Von Miller on his hands and knees. That’s just gold. Beautiful photo, DP editors. Thank you for that. Made my whole year so far.

Jeff

Any Given…um….Saturday. LOL.

Deal with it, Donkeys.

http://www.facebook.com/joannequercia.wroe Joanne Quercia Wroe

Peyton’s regular season stats are far better than his post season stats. Bronco fans shouldn’t be surprised by the loss. And in freezing temps to boot. He needs a dome or perfect weather to succeed.

Joe

The loss had nothing to do with Manning.

Ed

Sorry. Who was it then that threw the INT in Overtime? Who was it that fumbled the ball? You’re delusional.

Manning turned the ball over with a terrible throw to a receiver that was completely covered. That’s all on him.

Bronco Dave

Sorry. Who gave up two TDs to the Ravens??? If the Broncos could have stopped a long bomb with 30 seconds left to go in the 4th Quarter, then Overtime doesn’t happen.

Tom

Can’t wait to hear all the excuses come Monday on 104.3 from Evans/Klatt, Drew/Scott, D-Bag/Fat Albert.

The only person on that station that can be trusted to tell it like it is, is Sandy Clough.

I’m sure all the other idiots on that station will have excuses that range from officiating to how cold it was. Should be pretty funny to hear them crow on and on and on…..

Klatt was going on and on Friday….”Bye-bye Ray-Ray….” And Evans was talking about the game being Ray Lewis’ “retirement party”….

Well, it sure was a party, eh fellas? Yep. Sure was. Just not the kind you all were expecting.

Maybe that’ll teach you hacks to not poke the bear.

DenverDan

5 year/$96 Million epic failure.

AlabamaKid

I have thought since they hired Manning that Tebow and $96 million of great new talent would have bought a better team – both now and long term. One problem though – Elway would still be there.

Tebow Gods Other Son

Let’s face it. Elway splintered the fan base when he kicked Tim Tebow to the curb. I was a Bronco fan long before Elway. Elway didn’t have to do that. If he wanted Manning fine, but stomach punching Tebow and half his fan base deserved an equal response. Lady Karma floated in on the wind and stubbed out the big cigar chomping, scotch guzzling, pompous fools that now make up the remnants of Bronco Country. Reap it fellas it was long overdue.

diogenes

Couldn’t have said it any better myself! Denver has never been big enough for more than one grossly inflated ego…..just ask Dan Reeves. How Shannahan lasted so long is a mystery. What Elway did to a young man who DID WIN a playoff game for the Broncos was startling, to say the least! Rex Ryan must have listened very carefully to Elway after
Elway handed Tebow off to ole Rex Boy. Both of these people got exactly what they both deserved this year. Will be fascinating to read Woody’s take on this debacle later today/tomorrow morning.

Tebow Gods Other Son

The Broncos were announcing when the New England single game tickets were going on sale while the game was still in progress. Erik Decker runs into the end zone with his helmet off from the sideline. Baltimores kicker goes out onto the field and practices the game winning kick. John Fox takes the knee with 2 timeouts left to end the game in regulation. ESPN is going off on Denver, and they should. What a colossal failure by the Coaching Staff and Management.

Manning Super Bowl wins 1, Tebow 0. Also if you want to get technical. Manning has won 9 post season games. Or do the games he played with the Colts not count anymore???

Bears Fan

Denver had a terrific season — there are 30 other teams in the league that would have traded places with them for a #1 seed and home-field advantage. And clearly, much of
the credit for that should be assigned to Manning, who — according to his own teammates — has pushed them to play harder and better, has gotten them to reach down inside and come up with more than they ever have. Kudos to him for being a leader and for performing extremely well at his own position. Sorry, Tebow fans, maybe one day he’ll have the ability to do that — but he doesn’t yet. He’s (from all accounts) a good guy who works hard, but he’s not an MVP, a Super Bowl champion, and a future Hall-of-Famer. Not yet.

The Ravens should not have won this game, particularly after giving up two returns for
touchdowns after surrending zero all season. Spotting Denver 14 at home is a recipe
for disaster, and this could have easily turned into a blowout. But Flacco played well (something he’s capable of but doesn’t always do), the defense came up with key
turnovers, and rookie kicker Justin Tucker went 1 for 1 when it really counted.

(Speaking of turnovers, don’t be too quick to blame Manning for those. The Ravens, like the Bears, focus on taking the ball away. With at least two HoF players on the field, and others who are all-pro (Suggs, Ngata) they’re a formidable opponent even for the best of the QB’s. Yes, Manning made mistakes, but one of the ones he DIDN’T make was getting the ball anywhere near Ed Reed.)

The referees were a mess: blown calls and no-calls, both ways. The NFL really
needs to rethink their approach to this: crews which have worked together all year
are likely to perform better than ad hoc crews thrown together for the playoffs.

Coaching was erratic on both sides. Jim Caldwell’s play-calling became predictable
in the second half (noted even on the CBS broadcast), and that sort of predictability
is what got Cam Cameron fired. John Fox was too conservative: when you have Peyton Manning, time, and time-outs, you should try to put points on the board. Or at least make first downs and keep the ball.

It was a heck of a game. And I wouldn’t be surprised to see both teams back in the playoffs again next year. So Denver fans, don’t panic, don’t flip out, don’t dismiss your great season just because you lost in a 2OT game against a team that’s way healthier than when you beat them a month ago: look at how the Ravens have responded to losing the AFC Championship last year due to a dropped pass and a blown chipshot field goal. They came back strong and won their division. So can the Broncos. And maybe there will be a rematch.

malon

getting beat in the first round at home when you are a big favorite is not “terrific” season—this is not little league—playoffs are all that matters.

http://www.facebook.com/dan.watts2 Dan Watts

Your right. To say that 99% of fans would trade their season for a divisional round loss is a bit of an overstatement. After today, there will still be four teams left and I doubt any of their fans would want to swap.

Nick

Hey. Guess what? All of the teams that didn’t make the playoffs still won just as many as your top-seeded Broncos. That is to say…..exactly none.

Add in that all those other teams have much, much higher draft picks and this means all those other teams ended up faring better in the end.

You need to think before you post.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1770116289 Dan Gaschler

Well put Bears Fan, most of these posters are imposters !

malon

if they choke again next year, bowlen needs to fire elway and manning and get people who know how to win in the playoffs.

Nick

Why wait until next year to fire Elway and Manning? This wasn’t enough of an embarrassment?

herm

3 turnovers & 17 pts off. did pm even throw a pass longer than 20yds. they have to no ravns def gives up many big plays. then the kneel down w/30+ secs left in reg w/ their timeouts. there has to be something to that. bottom line w/o 2 special team returns. welllll ! bottom line ravns were better team yest. & played w/more heart & emotion. we wanted it more & we never quit when behind. we took it from you guys & horsies could do nothing about it. well spring training starts in about a month. go rockies hahahahaha. well have to go & plan my trip to ne or hou. have fun watching us. oh tell peyton,champ,& rest of db’s tx!

bill

the real Browns finally beat Denver and Elway in a playoff game

Joe

Ravens played two deep for almost the entire second half. It’s pointless to go deep when there isn’t a play to be had. And forget about the turnover stats. Two shouldn’t have even been allowed to happen.

the rock

Sorry for your loss girls, but maybe you bunch of tree hugging ,pot smoking , base of a mountain wimps found out what being a real football team means last night. Don’t mess with real men girls because you find out what happens when you do. Even CBS’s gas bag Dan couldn’t help you with oh peyton, you are wonderful and dip your hand in a bucket of cold water to help you play in the cold. Baltimore never says that cold and we handled it fine. And that other wimp in his UGG’s is not wanting to see the Xecutioners from Baltimore coming to town, if he squeaks out a win. It’s going down !

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1770116289 Dan Gaschler

sound more like sand than rock to me !!!

http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/AKXZHQNUR4CKXASDCOCSW5TMIU James A

I thought the NFL officials were indecisive and tentative much of the game. I did not watch the entire game, as the momentum was broken with too many commericals and then “offical” times out so the officials could confer.
If Denver was caution, the NFL officials on the field appeared to be frozen into inaction and reluctant to make a positive decision.
I became so frustrated with the game delays that I left the game. The NFL has lost control of its games with officiating and with the demand for commercials.

grady

The city of of Denver has nothing to be ashamed of they had a great season,the mistake comes from the talking heads on TV who virtually garanteed a Denver victory.I hate to see a team lose because a coaching mistake but that’s what happened,they ran the ball when they should have passed especially with Manning at QB,blame the poor coaching.

Dave in Wyoming

The game was lost when Broncos elected not to throw for a 1st down on 3rd and 7. By running the ball they were playing it “safe” to run time off the clock, punt it. 7 yds, a first down, and Denver wins, end of story. Instead of playing to win, this coaching staff played not to lose.

C Man

I relished the stunned looks on the Broncos fans last night. Precious. Just minutes before, they had been singing and waving their Super Bowl signs, and I’m sure talking a Brady vs Manning showdown. Ha Ha Ha. You all got owned and I hope you enjoyed your rides home from the stadium. Chump Bailey: Torched by a rookie TWICE. Fox: No stones – owned by Harbaugh. Defense: Choked when they knew a desperation pass was coming. Let Ray Rice run for 131 yards. Got OWNED by Raven’s O-Line. Prater: Super CHOKE Manning: THREE turnovers. Epic CHOKE.

John

Wow, Elway hate and burning all of your Broncos possessions, Really? 8 and 8 last year and backed into the playoffs and were fortunate to play a beat up Steelers team. This team is much better and will be better next season. Sometimes a huge loss goes a long way. Just remember Jacksonville in January of ’97. The Broncos just went on to win two superbowls after that. So hats off to the Ravens for a great game and lets get ready for next year.

This was a different Ravens team than back in December – a new offensive lineup, the entire defense playing, no injuries except to Bernard Pollard. The Defense played last week and yesterday like it played last year. And the Ravens had a fire in their belly that was not there in December, and not in the Broncos belly yesterday.

B E

It was a perfect storm of mistakes and panicking. They should have stayed professional and take the emotions out of the decision-making; they needed to do what had to be done if they were advising someone else how to play the game. How Moore didn’t play the man but went for an interception is high school stuff; why is it when a player signs his big contract, he slacks off the next season; and how can a coach choke the final half-minute of a game by sitting on the ball? At least Peyton showed what a difference a great quarterback can do for a team’s season and Holiday didn’t fumble the ball while making the record books. Just have to stay calm next season.

michaeldavidprophet

The Broncos curse has begun. You don’t trade off a guy who took a crappy team(1-4),and got them in the playoffs! You dont take a number that has been retired and give it to anybody! Smug Elway will fovever be remembered as the guy that Brought the curse to Denver!

It’s a game. It’s played for entertainment. It was a great season and an immensely entertaining game. I don’t like the outcome but it is what it is. Great season Broncos! Looking forward to another great season in 2013!!! GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!

Quasimodo4

Peyton Manning once again chokes in the big game. He is no Tom Brady. See you in the Big Easy along with the Patriots.

http://twitter.com/emeraldclouds7 Steven Williams

Tough loss. I for one am a legitimate Bronco fan dating back to Craig Morton. This was a tough loss. The Broncos had a chance to face some adversity (giving up big plays and turnovers) and came up short. I just watched Atlanta save their season with 30 ticks left on the clock. I couldn’t believe the big plays Baltimore came up with consistently late in the game (kudos to Flacco), but with 36 seconds and three time outs left, why not take a shot and may try a long field goal before time expires is beyond me. Seemed like the coaching staff was waiting for Baltimore to make a mistake when we were making them all game. If I had 36 seconds and Elway under center with three time outs, I know for a fact (even if Reeves were the coach) we would not have taken a knee and went for it in overtime. Two or may three completions and you give Prater a shot. I give Fox credit for fielding this team, but sometimes you have to make that gutsy call. Hell I would have gone for it on 4th down and one. Bring in Lance ball, maybe a lineman and try to get that one yard and close the game out. And how you give up that 70 yard touchdown pass in that spot still leaves with scratching my head. But in the end Baltimore deserved the game. It hurts know just one play would have definitely made the difference. Next year.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1770116289 Dan Gaschler

ME TOO !

Carol Bark

Tell Elway to tone down his ego and Bring back Tebow. He made football exciting…. what the NFL just hires felons ?

Wenny

The Denver loss was caused by following three things: 1st: the great plays by Baltimore’s quarterback. (I think he had trhe best game of his life) 2nd: The breakdown of Denver’s deep defense to permit three long passes for touchdown. 3rd: The pass that was intercepted for a Baltimore touchdown after an obvious pass interference no call by the officials. Without this play there would have been no overtime. Go Broncos! You had a great year and we are lookng forward tto next season.

sam

I think of all the comments you are the only one that knows anything about football.
You saw it I saw it why the coaches did not see it????????????????

Erik

We? I’m looking forward to never allowing myself to care for a bunch of choke artists ever again!

zimmieindc

As a long time Browns fan, y’all can even begin to imagine how rewarding this game was for me. I can only pray that it becomes remembered as The Drive or The Interception.

Warp Signature

Elway took the road to the past. Instead of building a young team with modern players and coaches, he spent silly money for Peyton Manning, who is without a doubt a great player, but he is old. Manning will retire soon. Imagine if Elway had drafted Kaepernick… But then again, Kaepernick wouldn`t have developed into what he is now with coach Fox…
Broncos have to make quite some adjustments for the future or they’ll go the Kansas City -way. They had an ageing qb-legend for some time, too – look where they are now…

http://www.facebook.com/zippy.washington Zippy Washington

Tom Brady and the Patriots are LUAGHING at the CHUMP Broncos and their fans. Thanks for giftwrapping us the opportunity to host the AFC Championship game in Foxboro………….WHERE IT BELONGS! O’DOYLE RULES!

Erik

Um….F

Tony Vallejos

“Wait till next year” needs a cautionary review. Manning at 37 will not be Elway at 37. Elway was a stronger, more elusive, harder to tackle QB, who could still run effectively if pressed (remember the “windmill”?). In addition, Elway still possessed a rocket arm, even at that age, and was therefore a significantly greater threat for the long ball. If that isn’t enough for you, then try remembering that Elway has Terrell Davis, Romanowski, Shannon Sharp and a few other fellows that were greater at their positions than anything we’re likely to see next year. I want to see the Broncos do well next year, but I am not going to engage in wishful thinking.

WestLinn

Let’s call it as it should be called on that first interception. That was pass interference all of the way. Unfortunately it was a turnover, but I don’t think you can hold Manning or Decker accountable on that one.

longhitter

Broncos’ season is over. Josh McDaniels’ season is not.

Jimmy Moreno

As you see what has unfolded, The Broncos should be in the Super Bowl! Chances do not come around often and you have to take advantage of them. It did appear the coaching was scared and way too conservative. I could not believe running the ball in the middle of the line on 3rd and 7 with a chance to get a first down and the ravens would have never got the ball back. Game over and take your knee. I don’t like the style of lets see what happens, you have to make it happen and the Broncos had their chances!

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.